Rice or noodles?

[rousseau]

Which is your favourite? Why?

This is really a classic Chinese question, so there's a chance it might not apply to your particular paradigm, but it remains of vital importance nevertheless, and should not be upstaged by other issues knocking about in the current firmament (viruses, vaccines, woke overreach, racism, intercity train networks...yawn).

Sure you can say you like both, but if forced to choose? For me it's rice. It is so wonderfully ingenious how the oil and fat from stir-fried meats and veggies adhere to the surface of the rice kernels, turning a bland foodstuff into something delicious.

Noodles can be good, don't get me wrong, but the dynamic on the tongue isn't quite the same. And let's be frank: they seem a bit frivolous, don't they? Long, stringy, flopping all over the plate, dangling in the air? They're not dignified. You're at risk of catching a pendulum swing of sauce on your shirt at any time, and that ostentatiously vile sucking noise that so much of the eastern half of the planet indulges in with a bowl of noodles is a big turnoff.

Yeah, I hear you, already!

[esquire]

[rousseau]

Because we are not mealy-mouthed, indecisive Poindexters. We have strong opinions about important topics and willingly fight to the death to defend them.

Also, you would never have both at the same meal. That would just be wrong.

[CivicBlues]

Rice Noodles

[Denscity]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Rice Noodles

...and boom.

[Rollerstud98]

I'm partial to rice with Franks and butter.

[MonkeyRonin]

Rice is more versatile and all around useful, but just so much less satisfying than noodles.

[whatnext]

Potatoes.

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Rice Noodles

Oh, very cute. There's always one, isn't there? Always one, smirking in the back, whispering silly little remarks meant to undermine the seriousness of the occasion.

Well it won't work this time, because rice noodles are...drum roll please...noodles. Your little joke backfired.

Now who looks like a fool?

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by Rollerstud98

I'm partial to rice with Franks and butter.

This goes against god and nature. And Confucius, who had more than a thing or two to say about people named Frank.

[CivicBlues]

Originally Posted by rousseau

Oh, very cute. There's always one, isn't there? Always one, smirking in the back, whispering silly little remarks meant to undermine the seriousness of the occasion.

Well it won't work this time, because rice noodles are...drum roll please...noodles. Your little joke backfired.

Now who looks like a fool?

Noodle Rice?

[Architype]

I just had rice noodles with beef & black bean sauce yesterday, but I prefer rice generally. But what about pool noodles, shouldn't they count too?

[saffronleaf]

Basmati rice all day every day

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by saffronleaf

Basmati rice all day every day

Now this is a curve ball. I love basmati rice with south Asian food, but if pressed against a wall I'd have to say that I prefer the stickier east Asian rice that you shovel into your mouth with chopsticks.

Basmati goes perfectly with heavy Indian sauces, but the more subtle and less-sauce based flavours of Chinese cuisine really do need the comparative stickiness of the rice that goes with it. If I had to choose between the two I'd go with sticky east Asian rice, I'd have to say. It has a fluffiness that is just delightful.

See how great rice is? Such amazingly different kinds!

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by CivicBlues

Noodle Rice?

I don't trust Europeans with rice. It's not fundamental enough to them, it's more of a one-off. Maybe a proper paella in Valencia is the exception (I've had it!).

[rousseau]

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

Rice is more versatile and all around useful, but just so much less satisfying than noodles.

Blasphemy. And you probably eat lots of Italian pasta too, I'd hazard to guess.

How can you take a country claiming that different shapes of the same thing taste different seriously? The emperor has no clothes. And plays an accordion.

[casper]

Originally Posted by rousseau

I don't trust Europeans with rice. It's not fundamental enough to them, it's more of a one-off. Maybe a proper paella in Valencia is the exception (I've had it!).

I have a Portuguese background. Portugasl menu has quite a bit of rice, and is influenced to some extent by its colonial past in Goa India and Macao China. That said the Portuguese influenced the development of Tempura in Japan. So Asian influence should be expected.

I grew up with Agulha and Carolino aroz (rice). Growing up my parents always miss trusted the rice from Asia and especially the Italian rice. Never understood exactly why. They were shocked by what the Americans called Instant Rice, they made one serving and kept the box in the back of the pantry to remember the mistake and ensure they could recognize the box not to buy.

That said I liked noodles more than rice. Egg noodles in particular. Even today I usually go for those German Egg noodles when I can find them. I will accept other pasta from time to time.

[Coldrsx]

Da gu all
day
long

[niwell]

This is a tough one. I love rice and it’s such a versatile grain to go with so many dishes. I am going to have to go with noodles though - ramen, pad thai and various Chinese style noodles (yes I know ramen stems from China originally) are the reason.

[harls]

I will say rice, and since I'm a moderator I guess that means jack shit.